₦airaland Forum

Who are these faceless members here voting igbo igbo igbo?

Yes we will all be alone, because even americans will be glad to take over Nigerian Soil, because wont take them long to make into haven of paradise

Britain and France will come to our AID.

hurricane, niaja?Huh

that impossible in jesus name.

what do we have to offer the hurricane?

if it comes , it's goona wipe us off the earth

I don't think so, did it wipe Haiti off the surface of the earth? There will be enough disaster but not enough to even wipe 10% of lagos or Ph.

Pray it wont happen, because we don't have what it takes, and trust me, the people that will help us are not many, because we don't have good names around the universe, but i am sure we will survive.

In other words, we'll be alone?

Oh God, forgive them there sin, for they know not what they are do

they do not know what they do? then why is he a manager then??

Bawomolo go kill me with laughter today.

Again, this goes to show that it's not just our leaders/politicians that's ruining our country.
[b]
As long as PHCN/NEPA remains a government enterprise and not privatized, issues of this nature will persi[/b]st.

True Talk.

What made bayo Kuku a billionaire? His joint [/b]ownership to EKO hospital?

What made Tony Elumelu a billionaire? UBA?
[b]
Real Naija billionaires are:

Jimoh Ibrahim
Tony Ezenna(Orange Drugs)
Aliko Dangote(Dan Nigeria)
Mike Adenuga(GLO)
Orji Uzor Kalu
Cosmas Maduka(coscharis)

Bankers that are richer than Elumelu are:
Mike adenuga
Pascal Chukudozie
Jim Oviah

And mus be headed by no other person other than [b]the agba [/b]of nairaland, DeepZone.

Uhmmm. . . deepzone, it is Igbo, not ibo. That is like me saying yorobah.

Sorry, I've been corrected over this a million times but am just used to it.

So now any area that feel neglected wil get a ministry.
What a direction the guy has gone, and the money meant to be used for the area will be used by some directors, ministers and stuff.

Lol, Quota system will soon agitate for ibo ministry while Nigeria one will threaten to cripple our economy if there is no Yoruba ministry in place by 2010.

Nigerians will do almost anything to make money, such man should be jailed for a long time, he should be a [b]guinea pi[/b]g for others.

If Ibori, Balogun, Bode George etc are not guinea pig enough for us, what makes you think the PHCN manager will make a difference?

You are only here to laugh at your funny brother. Why don't you give him advise or call him to order. haba.

Have your brothers called you to order or do they feel that your maniacal schizophrenia is incurable?

My plans for Niger Delta, by Yar'Adua
From Martins Oloja, Kelechi Okoronkwo, Terhemba Daka, Mohammed Abubakar (Abuja), Kelvin Ebiri (Port Harcourt), Willie Etim (Yenogoa), Julius Alabi (Akure) Moses Ebosele (Lagos), and Iyabo Lawal (Ibadan)

PRESIDENT Umaru Musa Yar'Adua yesterday restated the resolve of his administration to end the protracted Niger Delta crisis. The creation of the Ministry of the Niger Delta by the Federal Government on Wednesday, he said, is to achieve prompt execution of his programmes for the area.





The President said that when the blueprint for the region's development is aggressively implemented by the ministry, it will be clear to everyone that the Federal Government did its homework on how to end the neglect of the region.

He spoke in Abuja yesterday when he received the visiting British Minister for Africa, Asia and the United Nations, Lord Malloch Brown.

The government seems to have struck the right chord on its handling of the Niger Delta crisis as eminent Nigerians, political parties and ethnic groups hailed the move.

Yar'Adua declared that the Ministry of the Niger Delta will serve as the primary vehicle for engendering rapid socio-economic development in the region.

Yar'Adua said: "The Ministry will coordinate our efforts to tackle the challenges of infrastructural development, environmental protection and youth empowerment in the region."

He assured Malloch-Brown that measures were being taken by the government to deal with the security aspects of the problems in the oil-rich area.

The President reiterated his administration's appreciation of the offer by the British government to assist Nigeria with the development of a greater institutional and human capacity to resolve some of the challenges in the zone.

On other matters, the President said that the Federal Government was in the process of studying Nigerian laws with a view to initiating amendments that may be required to "operationalise" a Prisoner Transfer Agreement with Britain.

He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to the war against corruption. "Nobody, no matter how highly placed, will be shielded once caught in the web of corruption," Yar'Adua declared.

At another forum, Malloch-Brown revealed that about $40 million (about N1billion) looted from Nigeria are still trapped in some British banks.

According to him, Nigerian authorities must cooporate with United Kingdom (UK) to ensure that the amount is returned for the benefit of Nigerians.

Even the worst critics of the Yar'Adua admitted yesterday that the creation of the ministry is a novelty and holds hope for the people of the region.

But militants leading the offensive in the region adopted a "wait-and- see" approach. They said such menu had been served the region in the past without any meaningful change.

Those who lauded the government's action, were, however, quick to offer suggestions on how the government could use the ministry to herald a new Niger Delta that is free of misery, squalor, violence and environment degradation.

Among groups that reacted to the initiative are the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Action Congress (AC), All Nigeria People Party (ANPP), the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP).

The eminent Nigerians, who also commented on the development are former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Prof. Tam David-West, Second Republic Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide, and the Commissioner representing Ondo State in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Ibukun Omotehinse.

Britain, which added its voice to the government's move, however warned that it should not be used solely to pump money into the Niger Delta.

It said the desired results could only be achieved if the government ensured that good governance percolate into the oil-rich region.

And from the ANPP and workers of the Nigerian Railways Corporation (NRC) the cry is for more.

The ANPP warned that the restructuring of the ministries should not be used by the government to put food on the tables of political jobbers while the Railway workers canvassed a separate ministry for the moribund parastatal.

All the speakers, advised that only Nigerians with track records should be appointed to man the Niger Delta Ministry, with some opposing the choice of an indigene of the region to head the ministry.

David-West and Akinjide said that for the initiative to yield positive results, the quality and standing of the persons to run the ministry must be considered.

David-West told reporters in Ibadan, Oyo State capital that while the creation of Niger Delta Ministry was commendable, the crisis in the region might persist unless the government did away with sentiments in the appointment of officials to man the ministry.

He said: "I give kudos to Yar'Adua. Without taking out anything of his tremendous achievements, what he has done is highly commendable. But it is one thing to create a ministry, it is another thing for the ministry to work. The ministry should be well taken care of.

On the conversion of the NDDC to a parastatal of the ministry, David-West described it as symbolical, stressing that the commission was already bedevilled with corrupt practices.

On whether or not the creation of the ministry would douse the tension in the war-torn region, Akinjide said: "The quality and the standing of the person appointed to run such ministry will determine whether it will douse the tension in the Niger Delta."

Ijaw National Congress (INC) President, Prof. Kimse Okoko, expressed conviction that the creation of the historical ministry would make Yar'Adua better focused on tackling the issue of human and infrastructural development of the Niger Delta.

Okoko told The Guardian yesterday that the expectation of the people of the area is high and called for adequate funding of the ministry to enable it expeditiously transform the region in line with what happened to the federal capital, Abuja.

He said: "Fortunately, it has also come at a time when the technical committee on the resolution of the Niger Delta crisis is collating all legislations, recommendations beginning from the Wilinks Commission on the Niger Delta. The recommendations of the committee which will include proposals for the industrialisation of the region will be helpful to the new ministry."

The Ijaw leader urged the government to appoint only persons of impeccable character and a passion for the people to man the ministry. In addition, he called for adequate funding to avoid any cynicism on the part of the people.

President of MOSOP and the Chairman of the Technical Committee on the Niger Delta, Mr. Ledum Mitee told The Guardian that it was a salutary development.

He noted that for the ministry to make impact on the people, the ministers should reside in the Niger Delta instead of Abuja in order to appreciate the enormity of the task.

Mitee said: "The ministers and the officials of the ministry will be able to know the problems that they are confronting and have first class information if they are closer to the people."

MEND said it received with apprehension the announcement by the government to establish a Ministry of the Niger Delta.

Its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said the group would know if the government is sincere in solving the Niger Delta crisis when it offers true federalism in all its ramifications, which includes resource control as well as the unconditional release of all detained activists.

Action Congress (AC) said the creation of the ministry was an act of hearkening to the voice of reason, adding that it would fast-track rapid development in the region.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said that there was the need to appoint tested individuals to take charge of the ministry, in addition to unveiling a blueprint for the accelerated development of the area.

``A Ministry of Niger Delta that is not staffed by dedicated, committed and time-tested individuals will be nothing but a hollow ritual,'' it said, adding ``ministries by themselves do not implement policies, people do!''

Recalling its several statements calling for the creation of the Niger Delta Ministry as well as the inclusion of the creation of that ministry in its manifesto during the campaign for the 2007 general elections, AC said the party was delightedly flattered that the Federal Government had seen the wisdom in its (AC) proposed intervention for the Niger Delta.

Mohammed said: "AC urges holistic solution to Niger Delta crisis, warns against complacency.'' On July 15, 2007, it suggested, as immediate first steps to addressing the crisis which has already led to a 20 per cent cut in the country's oil production, ``the creation of a Niger Delta Ministry, and a blueprint for the accelerated development of the region, with emphasis on infrastructure, amenities and job and wealth creation for the people of the region.''

AC governorship candidate in the 2007 general elections in Bayelsa State, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, also praised Yar Adua, for the creation of the Ministry describing it as a good thing for the people of the region.

Amgbare in an interview with The Guardian in Yenagoa, said the original idea for the creation of the ministry came from Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who he said had variously used it as one of his promises to the people of the region during his electioneering last year.

He suggested that both the minister and minister of the state for the ministry be selected from within the Niger Delta states.

Omotehinse said the Ministry would not alter the role of the NDDC but rather it would complement its functions, which would bring rapid development to the region.

He said politics and governance are dynamic and every administration has a master plan on how to govern its people.

Yar'Adua's administration, he said, is itching to have its own identity in governance with a view to improving on the polity hence the new development.

Also, the North-West Zone Parliamentary Caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday commended the creation of the Ministry, which it described as a right step towards addressing the problems of the region.

Chairman of the caucus, Bashir Adamu Kazaure told journalists yesterday in Abuja after the forum's meeting that the North/ West zonal caucus was in total support of the creation of the Ministry and any other thing that would address the neglect of the region.

He explained that the Niger Delta crisis is the issue of the moment, adding that the caucus will collaborate with the Yar'Adua administration to remedy the situation in the region.

The ANPP advised the government not to use the proposed plan to de-merge ministries as a mere creation of more political appointments for party loyalists, rather it should be seen as a calculated and prudent measure towards restructuring the system in other to achieve results.

In a statement yesterday, the party's publicity secretary, Mr. Emma Eneukwu, admitted that some of these ministries were so large and complicated that the efficiency needed in implementing those reform policies had been very problematic.

"Our great party seizes this opportunity to call on President Yar'Adua to embark on assigning duties based on professional experience and sound track record of performance, both in conduct and discipline and afford them the responsibility of taking charge of these ministries.

"We believe that the selection of the ministers should be in accordance with their professional experience as it relates to the duties and functions of the ministries. In other words, a minister should be an experienced professional capable of handling the ministries assigned to him. And must have a first hand understanding of the working of the ministry."

To successfully reposition the (NRC) its workers yesterday advised Yar'Adua to separate it from the Ministry of Transportation. Reacting to the restructuring of some ministries by the government they said that some forces from a particular part of the country were working against the revival of the railway.

They argued that except a separate ministry was created and minister appointed to oversee its operations, it would be difficult to restore sanity to rail operations and by extension public transportation.

"The only way forward is for the President to show courage and do what is right before it is too late," said an official of the workers' union.

"Yes, it has been correctly stated. So far, two million pounds have been sent back, but you know there is another 40 million which is subject to prospective high court action. So one of my messages while I am here to give to the Nigerian authorities is to encourage the Nigerian justice authorities to cooperate fully with our metropolitan police and justice system to allow us to proceed to effectively prosecute those cases so we can return the money to Nigeria. There is a big bit of it ahead, a lot of publicity about the first couple of million pounds, but less attention to the 40 million. This is a big number, it is still small fraction of what was looted from the country over the years, but it is signal to the end of impunity and that if they steal this wealth, they are not going be left alone to enjoy it in a kind of luxury retirement in London or somewhere else. It is enormously important for Nigeria that these cases succeeds. We are looking forward to a strong cooperation from the Nigerian authorities."

Reiterating his country's backing for Nigeria's economic reforms and anti-graft war, the British Minister said he wanted to know how the earning from high oil prices are to be spent to the benefit of the citizens



http://odili.net/news/source/2008/sep/12/17.html

Naija

Police detectives attached to Zone 2 Headquarters, Lagos, recently nabbed Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Service Manager, Ebute Service Area, Ikorodu, Mr Samson Koledoye, selling coils and other useful parts of transformer worth N50 million.



Other accomplices include Koledoye's Deputy, Mr Biodun Isiaka, an intern attached to the company, Majayi George, an engineer that buys the material, Mr Philip Ehirion, his workers, Mbadike Philip and Obinna Nwabunike.

At the parade of the suspects yesterday, at the Zone 2 Headquarters, Lagos, Koledoye confessed that he sent his men to evaluate the transformer, but denied sending them to cut the cable.

He said, "on Sunday morning, last week, Philip called me and asked if we would be selling some coils and other parts of one of our transformers that had been lying down unused. The thing had been there for a very long time. They had spoilt, so I felt something should be done to remove the scrap from our premises. When Philip eventually came, I asked George, who is an IT student attached to our office to take them to the site and check if they could get something out of it.

"Philip is well known in Ikorodu as a scrap dealer, that was why I called him. I did not tell any of my superior, because I did not ask them to remove anything. I thought of telling my superior first before selling the scrap, but I was surprised when I was told that the guys were removing the coils and wires."

In his own confession, Philip Ehirion denied not being told by Koledoye to loose the coils and wire, for which he had already paid N10, 000 deposit.

The suspects are cooling their heels at Police Zonal Headquarters, Lagos.
http://odili.net/news/source/2008/sep/12/222.html

if oil prices was what ruined nigeria economy, please if we had no money, where the hell did abacha get $5 billion in his personal account. how do you think he came about that money,

first ibime, you must be young. you want to know if the yorubas can put the nigeria economy to stand still because of this. please ask president yar adua or ask senate president david mark, they are both 57 and 60 years old, they know how we did it the first time.

If the inbalance is not corrected. we can do the same again. it is not something to discuss over the internet. you talk of oil. well, please we do not want to go over that again. yorubas own 32% of the oil production in nigeria. we would shut it down, if need be. even the others field would be shut down. If you want to know how. go and ask dokubo how , he as been doing it over and over again.

Ibime, the yorubas alone have the capacity to pull the whole of the south, including the igbo and south south out of nigeria. and president yar adua would only be president of the northern part of river niger. everything below the river niger and river benue. anyone who tell you the yorubas can not do it is a fool.


i am not here to encourage arm weapon or war, what we are here for is make everybody to see the injustice and get the constitutional review people of senator ike do the right and the just thing.

You need to understand the mind set of the nigeria army, either hausa, igbo or yorubas or any tribe, their is no loyal army man to the federal republic of nigeria. it is first to the federal republic of fulani/ hausa, the federal republic of igbo, the federal republic of yoruba, the federal republic of middle belt, the federal republic of the ijaw, the federal republic of bendel and others in nigeria. get that into your head.

so if you look at all this. i believe any smart person in govt would try to avoid problem and plan better for nigeria, if i was the president of nigeria, president yar adua, i would support the need to correct the injustice done to the yorubas. i would quickly ask the senator ike group to quickly pass the creation of more state for the yorubas. if by chance we find anyone in the presidency working against the desire of our people. we would take a note of that person name down. and we would use that note again. And those who show openly to encourage the correction of the inbalance we would also take note. And openly support their desire for future election.

Behold, a hero is born.

Na Nigeria una dey yab like this? Bawomolo, take your time.

Oh yea, we're on the net, I can't give you the slap you seriously needed.

Is it only hurricane? The title of this thread should be: How prepared is Nigeria in the face of any disaster, whether it's natural or artificial? Do we even have any ministry/department for emergency?

Roflmao, these Northerners sef

If 90% of the economy comes from crude oil, please explain how people in Lagos and Ibadan crippled the economy? They didn't shut production down so this argument is completely false. Even small Ogoni did more to disrupt the economy than the Yorubas did in the aftermath of June 12. The economy was simply ruined by bad fiscal governance from Abacha and the slump in the price of crude oil that occured during his reign

Whatever, Yorubas alone are capable of crippling Nigerias economy if we decide to secede and it may soon happen. General Nigeria 1, over to you, what should we do next because we are being marginalized? ;

NEMA and it's only functional helicopter would save the day.

Are you sure they'll have gas in the helicopter?

How is that a scandal? Or do you mean to say that he's broke? You better pray he's not because he's very important to heart patients in Nigeria.

Again, what kind of house is 169 million pounds? Is it built with diamond?

I say it again get this and others into your head. Consider the entire yorubaland excluded from the federal republic of nigeria. we would use the axis of good to our advantage. Since your friends are the axis of evil. If you get what i mean.

Go ask your father if you are not old enough , how the yorubas ground nigeria economy to ground during the june 12 election.

Lmao, Nigeria 1 is running out of satellite pictures because his server is down. Guys, exercise some patience and give him some time. He is the most entertaining member in Nairaland.

i have cousins in the UK, their mum is from trinidad, their dad is from naija and they were born in england Grin
what are they, trinidadians, naijans or britico Grin . . .

ahhaaaa all of the above, that's it dave, vote all of the above Grin
gamine can vote none of the above

Na Britico dem go be na

Were the popular before the advent of sharia? So, they had a traditional god before the Islamic god took over? Thanks for the info.

president yar adua should look at the polls . nigerian do not like him. he need to do something different, not play games with the lifes of nigerian.

@Nigeria 1, which polls?

Eucharia Njideka Iyiazi and Lucy Ogechukwu Ejike also won gold medals yesterday. That goes to show that whatever your situation is in life, there is still hope for glory. If disability couldn't stop these people, nothing can stop us even if it's our own government. Keep your head up, my people.

Yesooo and they are all women.

We have actually won more gold medals and a silver , does this mean that Nigeria is a paralyzed country ? for the able bodied not to get a gold medal and disabled guys can do better is , (help me fill in the gap )

Read from Bolaoni:

The guy said he has been preparing for SEVEN years. That is a lesson for everyone that success does not come by
the FIRE BRIGADE approach

I have never depended on the polls for anything. This election is more a test of America's readiness to put issues above race. If Obama loses the world will not end.

Exactly. John Kerry was leading at the polls, what happened? Al gore was leading at the polls, what happened?